By CONNIE NOLEN / Community Columnist

“Transitions are a natural and regular occurrence in our lives. Without them, we would remain static, unchanged and, quite frankly, boring.”

These words prefaced Pelham High School 2011 alumnae Samantha Ellis’s artist’s statement for her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree Show, Transitions, as it opened at the University of Montevallo’s Gallery on Sunday, April 19.

At PHS, Ellis was a Literary Magazine editor and an award-winning photographer and designer.

As a freshman on the extended literary magazine staff, Ellis sometimes spent her lunch designing at computers.

She was fascinated by design and by learning something completely new.

“I have always had a love of learning something new, even if I didn’t know what I was going to do with it. If I didn’t quite understand, I still wanted to know and experience. Much of this desire comes from the fact that I read constantly from the moment I learned how. I still read constantly. Reading allows me to explore the worlds created by others,” said Ellis.

With high school friends Kasey Parks and Emma Valenti Duplechain nearby, Ellis greeted her visitors and discussed her work.

“I want to continue working with people to capture moments in their lives through my photography,” said Ellis. She also hopes to intern with local photographers to learn the commercial aspects of running a successful photography business.

“Long term I’d love to have a studio where other photographers can rent out space as well,” said Ellis. To close her artist’s statement, Ellis said, “Each of these images is symbolic of various transitions in my own life. They were an emotional outlet and remain a constant reminder to continue to grow and to never fear the transitions in between.”

“Reading is essential to true success; you must be willing to explore possibilities and viewpoints different from your own,” said Ellis.

Samantha Ellis’s experience as a reader allows her to see the world from many viewpoints. As a professional photographer, she allows others a glimpse of her perspectives.

Find Samantha Ellis Photography on Facebook to see more of her work and her show.